In this connection economy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKXZgTzEyWY), nothing is more important than…connecting. So, when we write, we need our writing, above all, to connect with the reader. Here’s my “how to” for making sure your writing connects with your readers.
I Googled “how to make my writing connect with my reader.” Here is some of the advice:
begin with a challenging assertion???
breed curiosity???
start in the middle???
share something intimate???
enhance your uniqueness ???
trust your voice—write in a conversational style???
trust your reader???
Okay, all advice I’ve heard before in some form or other. But, I think, not really so helpful.
In my opinion, the real way you CONNECT with your reader is CONTENT.
Because writing is usually seen as merely “presenting” information, the whole process of generating useful content goes largely ignored in writing instruction.
Those who teach writing focus a lot on surface correctness and clarity and conciseness of sentences, a logical organization….
Of course all these features of presenting information are crucial. But, when you think about it for a second, all these things are completely useless if the CONTENT is not useful to your reader.
I’d rather be given important information in broken English than unimportant information elegantly expressed.
Generating useful content is a huge part of writing.
Concepts that help writers generate useful information ought to be the first thing we teach. Here is my “how to.”
First of all, let’s agree that writing is two-way communication (not just “transmission” from the sender). In fact, writing is a conversation. Like any conversation, writing must have an exchange of information, a back-and-forth. We see this conversational aspect of writing clearly when we look at a string of tweets or even a string of emails. My email platform even calls each email “a conversation.”
The big challenge in writing is that you’re having a “conversation” with someone who isn’t there!
As a writer, you are, essentially, speaking. The reader is, essentially, listening to what you have to say. But the reader isn’t immediately there to give you feedback, to ask you clarifying questions, to guide you to content they care most about.
When your CONTENT fails to interest your reader, the reader simply hits delete, turns the page, leaves! At that point, all your writing is for nothing.
So How Do You Connect?
The technique that will help you connect to your reader is conceptually very simple:
You make sure your reader cares about the ISSUE you’re writing about (or they won’t be interested from the get-go).
You figure out all the essential questions your reader will have about this ISSUE (just as though they were talking to you face to face, asking you questions).
You find answers to these questions (through your expertise/experience/research).
You present the answers clearly and concisely and in plain English!
When your writing is answering questions your reader cares about, your reader will connect!
When your writing is giving information that does not answer your reader’s questions (about the ISSUE in question), your reader will disconnect.
So it’s not so much a matter of perfecting your style to connect with your reader. It’s primarily about your content. If it’s useful to your reader, your reader will stay connected. Yes, you do need to present the information in the most helpful way for your reader:
put your main points first, then explain (not the other way around),
create a layout that helps the reader SEE your main points and allows them to easily navigate the information provided (graphics are groovy), and
write in a clear, plain English style.
If you have questions, let me know: hlillywhite@towson.edu.